Edrington and the Kyndal Group have announced a 50:50 joint venture to bottle, distribute and market Cutty Sark scotch whisky in India.

For the first time in the brand’s history, Cutty Sark will be bottled outside of Scotland.

Edrington director of blends Glen Gribbon, said: “The market for scotch whisky is growing internationally. We believe that Edrington’s expertise in premium spirits, combined with Kyndal’s strong distribution, creates a great opportunity to make Cutty Sark more accessible to premium consumers in the dynamic and growing Indian market.”

The blend will be imported in bulk from Scotland and bottled at the Kyndal facility in Goa. It will be available in SKUs of 180ml, 375ml, 750ml and 1 litre across all retail outlets in 14 states. The maximum retail price (for Delhi) for 75cl is expected to be R1,400.

The Kyndal Group claims to be one of India’s leading alcoholic beveverage companies, operating in India’s premium spirits segment.

Managing director Siddharth Banerji said: “This blend will be imported in bulk from Scotland and Kyndal will use its best-in-class bottling facility at Gemini Distilleries in Goa to bottle, pack and market Cutty Sark. This will ensure that the Indian consumers get access to the original Cutty Sark in an exciting new pack.”

Edrington says the agreement secures a significant presence for it in one of the world’s most exciting emerging markets for scotch whisky. It also enhances Kyndal’s position as a leading supplier of quality scotch whisky to the customers in the Indian market.

Edrington will continue to bottle Cutty Sark in Scotland for all other global markets.